ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to address the association of the EGF gene +61A/G polymorphisms and HCC susceptibility in an Iranian population
Background: The association of epidermal growth factor [EGF] gene +61A/G polymorphism [rs4444903] and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] has been investigated in several populations. However, the findings are controversial
Methods: A total of 40 unrelated HCC patients and 106 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA of HCC patients was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples using CinnaPure DNA kit according to manufacturer's instructions. Genomic DNA of healthy individuals, also, was extracted from peripheral blood cells using the boiling method. The rs4444903 [A/G] polymorphism was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] method
Results: Significant association was found for the EGF +61A allele and HCC risk [OR = 1.72, 95% CI [1.02 - 2.90], P value = 0.04]. Also, significant association was observed for the EGF +61A/G genotypes and HCC risk under codominant and dominant models by SNPStats software analysis
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the EGF gene +61A/G polymorphism [rs4444903] might be a risk factor for susceptibility to HCC in Iranian population. However, further studies using more samples are needed